Kelly spirit rides again as sympathisers gang up on Beechworth jail
developer

By Orietta Guerrera

February 14, 2007 — 11.00am

WHEN authorities installed iron gates outside the old Beechworth prison in the late 1800s, they intended to thwart attempts to free Ned Kelly sympathisers.

As town residents peer in through the imposing white bars today, they cannot help but feel locked out of decisions about the historic site's future.

Opposition is mounting to plans to redevelop the prison and surrounding grounds, where a young Ned Kelly served sentences spanning two years in the early 1870s and was held during his committal hearing for murder in 1880.

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The 147-year-old jail, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, was shut in December 2004 when a minimum-security, 120-bed prison was built just out of town. Salmore Developments secured the site, including buildings, from the State Government for more than $1 million through a tender process.

Heritage Victoria is considering an application by the Melbourne-based developer to subdivide the land behind the main prison buildings into 23 allotments, including 18 residential blocks where some two-storey townhouses may be built.

The developer also intends to convert the former jail's interior, transforming it into a hotel, restaurant and retail precinct.

Mal Wilson, who lives opposite the site, says the community has had virtually no contact with developers about their plans and has been denied access to the site. The grounds have shown signs of neglect, including overgrown gardens.

"We're frustrated and we're trying to frustrate the developer," Mr Wilson said. "It's undeniable that we have very little power in the decision. The only thing we can do is bond, and create a barricade to the process."

A hastily convened public meeting this month to oppose the plans attracted 100 residents, and more than 1000 signatures have been collected in a petition.

Among those against the plans is well-known Kelly historian and local resident Ian Jones.

He says the iron gates symbolise the bushranger's influence. In 1879, about 20 suspected Kelly sympathisers were held in an attempt to limit support for the Kelly gang, but prison officials feared the original wooden gates would do little to stop a break-out.

Mr Jones says a more "holistic" approach that pays respect to the site's history is needed for the development.

"When you drive into Beechworth from Wodonga, the first sight of the jail will be a miniature suburb and concrete walls," he said.

"And meanwhile the jail's rotting. I can't be convinced that there was ever a serious plan for the use of the main jail complex."

Heritage Victoria has received 40 submissions about the developer's application. Executive director Ray Tonkin says a decision is expected within a month.

He stresses that the application relates only to the subdivision of the land, and the developer will also need a planning permit from Indigo Shire Council.

Any further development or building at the site would require a separate heritage permit. "The owners haven't come forward with any specific proposals for the old building," Mr Tonkin said. "We would weigh those up."

Salmore managing director Sam Lawson says the furore is disappointing and fuelled by misinformation. He believes the company has always been clear about its intentions.

"What we've said from the outset is that it's stated in the Heritage Act that all of the historic elements of the building can't be touched, have to be looked after and maintained," Mr Lawson said.

"That's set in stone. I have to do that, and will do that. That's why I bought the place — its historical significance."

The council met the developer late last year for a briefing, and is not totally opposed to Mr Lawson's plans. However, councillors recently rejected the application before Heritage Victoria, citing several concerns including that "the proposal fails to provide a whole-of-site approach to development and reuse".

The council's chief executive, John Costello, says any plans considered by Heritage Victoria should include details of what is on the cards for all buildings and areas inside the jail walls.

The council also wants Heritage Victoria to ensure safeguards are in place so the developer properly maintains the place.

"The whole place has to be maintained and not left to rot. (The developer) bought the place and has just left it to sit there," Mr Costello said. "In the end the council has to do grounds maintenance, looking after the gardens, walls, buildings."

Cr Andrew Banks wants the council to go a step further and ask the state and federal governments to buy back the jail, returning it to public hands.

He says the jail, the nearby old courthouse where Kelly was tried, telegraph station and police lock-up form the most "intact gold-rush governance precinct" and must be preserved.